Our favourite beach reads this summer

Twenty years ago, Nikki's long-held dreams are lost forever when a terrible storm rolls into the small seaside town of Speedwell. Ever since that night, Nikki has been keeping a secret. One she knows has the potential to destroy the lives of those she loves most. So when a handwritten note lands on her doorstep, she realises it's only a matter of time before the heartbreaking truth of her past is uncovered. Because if there's one thing Nikki knows, as sure as the tide turns, there are no secrets in a small town.

From beneath the beach umbrella, all might seem idyllic - children playing, sunbathers relaxing, ice slowly melting in a cocktail glass. But look a little closer, and all is not as it seems. In these classic crime stories of midsummer murder and madness, the mercury is climbing - and so is the body count. Prepare to spend this summer holiday with some shady characters (in sunny places) and immerse yourself in tales of mystery and depravity at home and abroad. Just remember - there might be nothing new under the sun - but murder is the most ancient art of all.

When Cecilia Lapthorne's 75th birthday celebrations take an unexpected turn, she seeks solace away from the festivities and escapes to Dune Cottage - without telling her family where she's going. Lily Thomas, a struggling artist, has secretly been staying in the unoccupied cottage. When Cecilia discovers Lily during a late-night visit, an unexpected bond forms between the two women. Then Cecilia's grandson, Todd - and Lily's unrequited crush - shows up, sending a shockwave through their unlikely friendship. Will it inspire Lily to find the courage to live the life she wants? Can Cecilia finally let go of the past to find a new future? Because as surely as the tide erases past footprints, this summer is offering both Cecilia and Lily the chance to swap old dreams for new.

Charlotte and Perry have owned their clifftop holiday home in Pine Ridge for years. They've worked hard for it - why shouldn't they enjoy it? Even if the locals can't afford to live in the village these days. Now city friends Amy and Linus have bought a second home nearby and when the two families descend, they plan lazy days at the beach and evenings sipping rose and watching the sun set from Charlotte's summerhouse veranda. But this summer is different. A group of locals - headed by the charismatic Robbie - will stop at nothing to make the second home owners pay for their holiday. By the end of their break, marriages will be torn apart, friendships shattered and crimes exposed. And one of them will have lost their life.

From the moment Lily Harper arrives at a remote retreat on the breathtaking Isles of Scilly, she is itching to get back to civilisation - and her business. Slowing down simply isn't in her vocabulary, and so she quickly clashes with the gorgeous but dour Sam who runs the retreat. Just as Lily is about to give up and leave, she is involved in a spectacular boating accident. Rumours abound and her obituary is released online. But there are two problems: Lily doesn't like the person she's reading about and Lily isn't dead. Faced with her own mortality, Lily is no longer sure she wants to return to the life she thought she loved. But will she have the courage to give the retreat, and Sam, a second chance?

July, 1997. Matilda is killed in a tragic accident on the Dorset rocks, leaving her best friend Sophie alone, wracked with guilt. Decades later, Sophie is back for the first time since that terrible summer, to sell her family's old beach hut and bury the memories forever. But on clearing out the hut, she finds evidence that Matilda's death was no accident. What really happened the night she died? As Sophie edges closer to the truth, the past starts to close in on the present. Because the close-knit community is still home to a killer, and they want Sophie gone.

Anna Moore didn't just wake up one day and decide to go on a wild quest - especially since her life no longer lends itself to wild anything - so how in the world does she end up racing against the clock with Owen Harris, a sexy, enigmatic adventurist, to prove her beloved dad innocent of stealing a million-dollar necklace? It's all Wendy's fault. Her older, bossy sister, who's seven months pregnant and on bed rest in their small Lake Tahoe hometown, is desperate to clear their departed dad's name. Owen, though, is convinced he's guilty as hell and wants to return the jewellery back to its rightful owner - his elderly great aunt. Together Anna and Owen go on a scavenger hunt for clues to the past (with Wendy remotely along for the ride via an earbud, supplying a running wry commentary to boot).

Rachel has loved Alistair since she was seventeen. Even though she hasn't seen him for sixteen years and she's now married to someone else. Even though she was a teenager when they met. Even though he is almost twenty years older than her. Now in her thirties, Rachel has never been able to forget their golden summer together on a remote, sun-trapped Greek island. But as dark and deeply suppressed memories rise to the surface, Rachel begins to understand that Alistair - and the enigmatic, wealthy man he worked for - controlled much more than she ever realised. Rachel has never once considered herself a victim - until now.

When out of work actress Rey Levine is offered her dream acting role, she knows she has to make it work. But there's a catch: the film calls for Rey to swim, something she hasn't done since her last fateful summer holiday 15 years ago. The summer her sister disappeared - and everyone blamed Rey. Rey will do anything to block out the painful memories, but it means her current life is in freefall - drink and men her drugs of choice. With her first dip in the cool water, Rey thinks she's found the perfect escape. But as the water holds her, old memories float to the surface, forcing Rey to remember the terrible summer she'd rather forget. But someone doesn't want the truth to surface. Not now, not ever. And they're prepared to ruin Rey's life all over again.

Del moved to the south of France three years ago and hasn't looked back. She's found new friends, new purpose, and new love with gorgeous Fabien. But now, just as harvest - the busiest time of the year at her little lavender farm - is due to begin, Del gets some shocking news. There's no time to dwell on it, however: she must welcome a new crew of lavender pickers while unexpectedly waving goodbye to Fabien for the summer. Usually cooking - the thing she loves best - would help soothe her troubles, but Del doesn't remember how. And then chef Zacharie comes to town, dropping another bombshell! Over one summer in Provence that's full of surprises, friends old and new rally round. Can they harvest the lavender and pull the community back together? Will Fabien return? And if he does, will Del finally get her happy-ever-after?